Comments on: Here We Go Againhttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/
farm blog, farming blog, country blog, country living blog, livestock blog, rural lifestyle blogFri, 26 Jul 2013 14:50:13 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1By: Rick Younghttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29981
Rick YoungTue, 22 Jul 2008 22:10:42 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29981Joel and Family,
I'm sorry it took me so long to get around to thanking you for your kind hospitality and wanted to say I had a wonderful visit. I wish I could have stayed and helped out around there. I have found that my trip was a Godsend in my healing, I am now starting to look forward to moving on and getting on with my life. I wish I could get back to the land like you, but unless there is a complete collapse of our economy no one can afford it. I still follow your blog and look forward to your continued success and pray for your health and prosperity. I have seen first hand how hard you and your family work and you deserve to be successful. Take time to laugh, play, and love my friend. I will have goats one day, as soon as I figure out how!!
DemonmasterJoel and Family,

I’m sorry it took me so long to get around to thanking you for your kind hospitality and wanted to say I had a wonderful visit. I wish I could have stayed and helped out around there. I have found that my trip was a Godsend in my healing, I am now starting to look forward to moving on and getting on with my life. I wish I could get back to the land like you, but unless there is a complete collapse of our economy no one can afford it. I still follow your blog and look forward to your continued success and pray for your health and prosperity. I have seen first hand how hard you and your family work and you deserve to be successful. Take time to laugh, play, and love my friend. I will have goats one day, as soon as I figure out how!!

Demonmaster

]]>By: Kevinhttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29935
KevinMon, 21 Jul 2008 17:28:25 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29935Hi Joel,
Sorry to hear that Jim's back is in that bad of a shape. A lot of us truck drivers end up having some sort of back trouble; some of it is due to the job, some of it is aggravation or excelleration of other problems.
Jim, I was thinking about the goat thing, and it hit me that you could use stock panels and steel posts. Just move the pens around whenever you get an area grazed down. If you like how it works, you could make a series of paddocks connected by gates with a central shelter and water source (hydrant or fountain). This away you can rotate the area the goats are grazing, but still keep them in the same general area. If you want, check with your local extension agent for information on rotational grazing, they should have all kinds of information (even workshops) on the subject.
Well, we went into extremely hot weather here. Highs in the mid to upper 90's, no rain, possible T-storms later in the week. Thankfully, no predictions of highs in the hundreds. Crops look good right now, we haven't had enough wind to dry things out, but that could happen with just one or two days of winds over 20 mph, not uncommon here.
Take care, and try to find time to enjoy life!
KevinHi Joel,

Sorry to hear that Jim’s back is in that bad of a shape. A lot of us truck drivers end up having some sort of back trouble; some of it is due to the job, some of it is aggravation or excelleration of other problems.

Jim, I was thinking about the goat thing, and it hit me that you could use stock panels and steel posts. Just move the pens around whenever you get an area grazed down. If you like how it works, you could make a series of paddocks connected by gates with a central shelter and water source (hydrant or fountain). This away you can rotate the area the goats are grazing, but still keep them in the same general area. If you want, check with your local extension agent for information on rotational grazing, they should have all kinds of information (even workshops) on the subject.

Well, we went into extremely hot weather here. Highs in the mid to upper 90′s, no rain, possible T-storms later in the week. Thankfully, no predictions of highs in the hundreds. Crops look good right now, we haven’t had enough wind to dry things out, but that could happen with just one or two days of winds over 20 mph, not uncommon here.

Take care, and try to find time to enjoy life!
Kevin

]]>By: Jimhttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29870
JimSat, 19 Jul 2008 17:54:40 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29870David,
I never thought about the dog problem all though we dont have to many dogs runing loose here it only takes one we ma try to go to a fence before long true nubs do holler alot we are still working on the goat thing to see if we want to raise them orjust keep a few for weed eaters.thanx for the info though.
Joelw and anyone eles,
looks like im going to be farming for life the doc. told me I cant drive trucks any more that my back was to far gone to drive and to risky to do surgery on bummer.glad all is going well for ya our baler broke down the other day so we been getting a friend to round bale it to get the rest of first cut done and its done to ya. hopto get it fixed this week wile its raining so we can start 2nd cut. by the way david we had 2 holsteens die and 3 jerseys die. i should have cut them open and took a look see but I did not do it maybe next time. well gotta go my 14 year old came and told me his 4 wheelers acting up well back to work god bless and good luck.David,
I never thought about the dog problem all though we dont have to many dogs runing loose here it only takes one we ma try to go to a fence before long true nubs do holler alot we are still working on the goat thing to see if we want to raise them orjust keep a few for weed eaters.thanx for the info though.

Joelw and anyone eles,
looks like im going to be farming for life the doc. told me I cant drive trucks any more that my back was to far gone to drive and to risky to do surgery on bummer.glad all is going well for ya our baler broke down the other day so we been getting a friend to round bale it to get the rest of first cut done and its done to ya. hopto get it fixed this week wile its raining so we can start 2nd cut. by the way david we had 2 holsteens die and 3 jerseys die. i should have cut them open and took a look see but I did not do it maybe next time. well gotta go my 14 year old came and told me his 4 wheelers acting up well back to work god bless and good luck.

]]>By: Rayhttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29864
RaySat, 19 Jul 2008 16:43:56 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29864Good to see things went well with the kidding and such. I know the thing you were saying about entitlements and such really tick me off a lot. I had some neighbors back a bit ago that had a really nice farm and of course did what they needed to when no one was looking - but generally they did as little as possible because they were getting paid a pretty livable wage to do nothing.Good to see things went well with the kidding and such. I know the thing you were saying about entitlements and such really tick me off a lot. I had some neighbors back a bit ago that had a really nice farm and of course did what they needed to when no one was looking – but generally they did as little as possible because they were getting paid a pretty livable wage to do nothing.
]]>By: Kevinhttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29768
KevinTue, 15 Jul 2008 18:45:55 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29768Hi Joel!
Well, the weather here has turned off more seasonal (drier, with higher day time highs). Basically AC weather.
I was wondering if anyone has had experience with any Angora goats? I remember a great uncle of mine used to keep a few to help keep the wooded hillsides around his farm cleared of brush and understory. They did a really good job, and from what I recall he used to get a small subsidy check for the production of the hair. (You shear them annually, like you do sheep.) Just another idea for Sheila to look at, get some brush clearers, plus get a pay check from the sale of both kids and hair.
I've got to agree with most of the sentiment towards the SSI program. What had me when I drove a school bus was the seemingly growing number of parents who did everything they could to get thier children classified as "disabled" in order to collect a monthly check. Personally, I have nothing against people getting assistance when they truly need it, but to encourage a child to misbehave and not apply themselves in school, in order for them to get "diagnosed" as having ADHD (attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder), is totally crazy! What ends up happening is the parents collect the money until the child is either put out of school or the child turns 18, then the young adult turns around and applies for SSI on thier own, without ever working a day in thier life! If they don't go on SSI they just end up sitting around drinking and smoking pot (which they do even when drawing SSI) and to support themselves they get involved in crime (selling dope, and stealing). One boy I had on the bus route was one of the "untouchables", (under the regulations imposed by the Federal government, a child diagnosed as having ADHD or another disability can not be disciplined in the same manner as a child who is not, generally they do not get any), wound up in the state pen after a series of thefts. This boy wasn't stupid, he wasn't unable to learn; he had parents who were more interested in sitting back and drinking thier 40 ouncers than they were in taking care of thier kids!
To me, the SSI program should be cut back to where that the people who need it, get it, and those who don't are told to "find a job". Back when it was started it was targeted at the elderly on Social Security retirement whose assets and checks were so small they were way below the poverty level. Then they added people who were disabled. When they did that it seemed like a fair deal, especially for the ones for had to leave the work force due to a career ending illness or injury, but then it went crazy. They added children who had never worked a day in thier lives, but who needed assistance due to the increased financial burden it imposed upon the family. Again, if it was something that truly causes a burden on the family, the assistance is a positive thing, but when they got to giving out money for misbehaving children, and adults who are alcoholics or drug addicts then it went totally out of control and needing immediate correction!
I hope everyone has a good week, no major problems, and you get some time to enjoy life!
KevinHi Joel!

Well, the weather here has turned off more seasonal (drier, with higher day time highs). Basically AC weather.

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with any Angora goats? I remember a great uncle of mine used to keep a few to help keep the wooded hillsides around his farm cleared of brush and understory. They did a really good job, and from what I recall he used to get a small subsidy check for the production of the hair. (You shear them annually, like you do sheep.) Just another idea for Sheila to look at, get some brush clearers, plus get a pay check from the sale of both kids and hair.

I’ve got to agree with most of the sentiment towards the SSI program. What had me when I drove a school bus was the seemingly growing number of parents who did everything they could to get thier children classified as “disabled” in order to collect a monthly check. Personally, I have nothing against people getting assistance when they truly need it, but to encourage a child to misbehave and not apply themselves in school, in order for them to get “diagnosed” as having ADHD (attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder), is totally crazy! What ends up happening is the parents collect the money until the child is either put out of school or the child turns 18, then the young adult turns around and applies for SSI on thier own, without ever working a day in thier life! If they don’t go on SSI they just end up sitting around drinking and smoking pot (which they do even when drawing SSI) and to support themselves they get involved in crime (selling dope, and stealing). One boy I had on the bus route was one of the “untouchables”, (under the regulations imposed by the Federal government, a child diagnosed as having ADHD or another disability can not be disciplined in the same manner as a child who is not, generally they do not get any), wound up in the state pen after a series of thefts. This boy wasn’t stupid, he wasn’t unable to learn; he had parents who were more interested in sitting back and drinking thier 40 ouncers than they were in taking care of thier kids!

To me, the SSI program should be cut back to where that the people who need it, get it, and those who don’t are told to “find a job”. Back when it was started it was targeted at the elderly on Social Security retirement whose assets and checks were so small they were way below the poverty level. Then they added people who were disabled. When they did that it seemed like a fair deal, especially for the ones for had to leave the work force due to a career ending illness or injury, but then it went crazy. They added children who had never worked a day in thier lives, but who needed assistance due to the increased financial burden it imposed upon the family. Again, if it was something that truly causes a burden on the family, the assistance is a positive thing, but when they got to giving out money for misbehaving children, and adults who are alcoholics or drug addicts then it went totally out of control and needing immediate correction!

I hope everyone has a good week, no major problems, and you get some time to enjoy life!

Kevin

]]>By: David in Gahttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29756
David in GaTue, 15 Jul 2008 01:29:06 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29756To Jim, putting them on a chain is handing them a death sentence if dogs get to them, they will not be able to get away or to protect theirselves. Personally I'd reccomend staying away from Nubians unless you like to hear them holler all the time. They are by far the noisest goats out there. Did you think about doing a necroupsy on the cows that died? I'd be extremely curious as to what took out 5 of the 8 you bought. Never know what your getting at the sale barn anymore.To Jim, putting them on a chain is handing them a death sentence if dogs get to them, they will not be able to get away or to protect theirselves. Personally I’d reccomend staying away from Nubians unless you like to hear them holler all the time. They are by far the noisest goats out there. Did you think about doing a necroupsy on the cows that died? I’d be extremely curious as to what took out 5 of the 8 you bought. Never know what your getting at the sale barn anymore.
]]>By: Jimhttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29741
JimMon, 14 Jul 2008 18:15:57 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29741Joelw, You are very right on the work force I probley should have explained my self better.You said what I did not to a tee. we are not to sure what happend to the calfs They just up and died they were with our other stock and they did fine we fed them and waterd them just like all the rest but the new ones died not to sure what went on. Thouse are very large houses our feed barn is 30X100 and our horse barn is 50x60 it was bilt to house draft horses well best of luck with the new houses and you are speaking the truth about the govermant asstance ive never used it and never will id like to s.s. taken out and let us take care of our own retirments my disabilaty ins that i collect is a private ins company that i bought insteaed of state run work comp and they pay any and of the things my docs say i need with no preapovels.It blows state run comp away by far.
Shelia, i get goats in ohio and ky, for $25 and up i have a boar billy and a female that im still trying to figure out what she is. We keep them on a30 foot chain with a dog colar we use heavy dutydog chains and hook them to trees and move them as we need to they clear an area 60 feet in diameter in about 4 days most evrey one in our area does this so they dont have to worry about there fences also they work faster like that they can still play and do what ever they want with the chains on also nub. goats would be a good choice as well they are more tame than bores and seem to mother ther kids better than boers, well good luck with the goats and have fun with it.
well gotta get back to work yall have fun and god bless you all.Joelw, You are very right on the work force I probley should have explained my self better.You said what I did not to a tee. we are not to sure what happend to the calfs They just up and died they were with our other stock and they did fine we fed them and waterd them just like all the rest but the new ones died not to sure what went on. Thouse are very large houses our feed barn is 30X100 and our horse barn is 50×60 it was bilt to house draft horses well best of luck with the new houses and you are speaking the truth about the govermant asstance ive never used it and never will id like to s.s. taken out and let us take care of our own retirments my disabilaty ins that i collect is a private ins company that i bought insteaed of state run work comp and they pay any and of the things my docs say i need with no preapovels.It blows state run comp away by far.
Shelia, i get goats in ohio and ky, for $25 and up i have a boar billy and a female that im still trying to figure out what she is. We keep them on a30 foot chain with a dog colar we use heavy dutydog chains and hook them to trees and move them as we need to they clear an area 60 feet in diameter in about 4 days most evrey one in our area does this so they dont have to worry about there fences also they work faster like that they can still play and do what ever they want with the chains on also nub. goats would be a good choice as well they are more tame than bores and seem to mother ther kids better than boers, well good luck with the goats and have fun with it.
well gotta get back to work yall have fun and god bless you all.
]]>By: Sheilahttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29710
SheilaSun, 13 Jul 2008 02:46:31 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29710most likely have a few to keep a wood lot clean of multiflora rose . I would breed them than sell the kids ,probably @ auction . I doubt I would have the nerve to eat them myself. I can clean and eat anything else , just not goats , sheep or tame rabbits. We used to dress rabbit for my grandma, but i can eat a wild one . for some reason that is different. Ha Ha Sheilamost likely have a few to keep a wood lot clean of multiflora rose . I would breed them than sell the kids ,probably @ auction . I doubt I would have the nerve to eat them myself. I can clean and eat anything else , just not goats , sheep or tame rabbits. We used to dress rabbit for my grandma, but i can eat a wild one . for some reason that is different. Ha Ha Sheila
]]>By: David in Gahttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29692
David in GaSat, 12 Jul 2008 16:07:43 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29692Tractor Supply carries the REGULAR teeth for $1.29 now, up from $1.09 in the spring. BUT the 258 takes a special tooth, it mounts on the back side of the bar as to where the other 2 are mounted on the front side. There is no aftermarket source for these teeth and that is the reason they are so high. The teeth are right hand teeth where the other 2 are left hand teeth.
On the goats it's not wise to even leave twins on the boars because the milk production is so low that the 2nd kid may be getting little to no milk, very smart move the pull 2 of the quads. If you ever have any questions on goats just email me and me or the wife should have a answer for you or you can also go to goattalk.com and post any questions on there. To Sheila don't buy any goats until you have proper fencing for them, because they will escape from most anything and if someone around here had boar's and the buck got in with my girls he would be shot dead on the spot and the owner called to get his carcass. That's just how it is sometimes. But don't get goats and think a couple of strands of barbed wire will hold them in, you need page wire or cattle panels if you want to do it right and not be fighting with rounding them up all the time.Tractor Supply carries the REGULAR teeth for $1.29 now, up from $1.09 in the spring. BUT the 258 takes a special tooth, it mounts on the back side of the bar as to where the other 2 are mounted on the front side. There is no aftermarket source for these teeth and that is the reason they are so high. The teeth are right hand teeth where the other 2 are left hand teeth.
On the goats it’s not wise to even leave twins on the boars because the milk production is so low that the 2nd kid may be getting little to no milk, very smart move the pull 2 of the quads. If you ever have any questions on goats just email me and me or the wife should have a answer for you or you can also go to goattalk.com and post any questions on there. To Sheila don’t buy any goats until you have proper fencing for them, because they will escape from most anything and if someone around here had boar’s and the buck got in with my girls he would be shot dead on the spot and the owner called to get his carcass. That’s just how it is sometimes. But don’t get goats and think a couple of strands of barbed wire will hold them in, you need page wire or cattle panels if you want to do it right and not be fighting with rounding them up all the time.
]]>By: joelwhttp://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/comment-page-1/#comment-29616
joelwWed, 09 Jul 2008 11:40:37 +0000http://blog.mahindrausa.com/2008/07/04/here-we-go-again/#comment-29616David,
I\'ll keep that in mind about the hay rake teeth. I think Tractor Supply Compay carries them. First order of business is to replace the dolly tires. As pricey as hay is getting I need to get every blade of grass I can from the fields.
Our Saanen usually has triplets and takes care of them good. This time it was quads and I just didn\'t want to chance it so we are bottle feeding 2.
Thanks for the comment! Check back soon!
paintsmh,
Thanks for the offer, but I think I am going to try to get away from the Boers for the most part and find some Kiko\'s or maybe a Meatmaster cross. With hay and grain so high we have talked about selling off the herd and replacing it when we get a better stand of grass and more fencing done.
mlytc,
Yes we have Cobb grandparent stock. Right now it\'s the Cobb 500, but there has been talk of some Cobb 700\'s coming. Not crazy about that because they say the males are really aggressive. Good luck with finding help. Here there are very few jobs, but even fewer people who will work. I\'m hoping to pull a rabbit out of my hat for the next set.
Jim,
It will actually be 4 houses. We build these in sets of 2. Right now I have 2 40x400 houses connected by an egg gathering area. What happened to your calves?
I\'m not willing to place all the blame for the current immigration situation on American workers. While I agree that there are a lot of lazy americans and a lot of immigrants who will work circles around them, you know companies abuse this. They open up shop and pay real low wages. No american wants the job, not because of the job, but because of the wage. That\'s fine except 99% of the companies can pay more, but they have to give some cat somewhere in an office a big salary and stock options. If the company cannot pay more that\'s one thing, but to purposely pay a reduced wage so as to exploit the locals and immigrants alike is just plain wrong. Believe you me there is a lot of it going on too. How do we fix it? Well I\'m not exactly sure, but if you would take away some of the entitlements I bet you\'d see alot more people going to work. Now I know folks are gonna say, no they would just steal. You handle that by passing a law allowing people to protect their property. None of this \"their life must be in danger\". Plain and simple, make thieves afraid to steal. Democrat or Republican we have got to get a hold on this situation now while we still can or this country will not survive much longer. Here I have seen many families with 4 and 5 generations on public assistance. It\'s a cradle to the grave system that has to be changed somehow. Problem is too many politicians won\'t do anything because they\'d be running themselves out of office. News flash: The line is getting longer than the people supporting it!
Okay I\'ve had my morning rant! Feel a little better now. Thanks for the comment Jim, and hope you have better luck with your next round of calves!
Cyberhillbilly,
I couldn\'t have gotten out of the manufacturing workforce at a better time. The guys from Kingsford have shared some sour outlooks for the future and Kingsford with me. We dried the briquets with heat from our retort (where they burn the sawdust to make wood char)and when they were unable to run we could still run the rest of the plant and dry briquets on a diesel burner. The cost of diesel has gotten so high now that the plant stops unless the retort is running. If something breaks in retort you have a whole plant down waiting on it to be fixed. Only alternitives are send home the workforce or run the burner at an unprofitable margin. Neither is a good choice.
I\'m lucky that I can walk to work and have a fuel reimbursement plan with Cobb for the things here on the farm. I can only imagine the stress fuel prices are putting on the bottom line of manufacturers, distributors, and the like. The truck market is in the tank. Automakers scrambling to produce small cars at little or no profit margin just to keep people employed. We\'ve got the Dems tabooing energy from any source. No coal, no oil, no nuclear plants. Where are we going to get energy from? How does Al Gore expect to get all that electricity he\'s using? http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/gorehome.asp
It\'s okay though he\'s buying carbon credits to offset his massive usage. I got some carbon credits for sale Al! I just hope and pray someone will come along that can lead this country out of the mess it\'s in. McCain will have to do for now since neither party seems to want to put an electable candidate on the ballot. I can see it now, this just in, McCain will be your next president because more votes were cast against Obama than against McCain. That\'s right folks we are no longer voting for a candidate we are voting against the other one. Looks like Perot might be jumping in the race too. I like his new website: http://perotcharts.com/
Thanks for the comment! Check back soon!
Kevin,
I fully understand that there is a whole lot of monkey business going on with immigration. You can see that by reading my response to Jim. Somehow we have to make it beneficial for companies to invest here in the US.Â I don\'t care if new companies don\'t pay any taxes so long as they provide good jobs and distribute their wealth evenly. We have to recreate some of the jobs we\'ve lost. Thanks for the comment!
Sheila,
Registered Boers are going to be high. You can buy Boer crosses and unregistered Boers at sales reasonable. The goats seem to bring the most here when grouped together with others their age and sold in a lot. Mostly meat packers buying when they are sold like that. I think they call them graded. I\'ve sold mine every way imaginable, kids, does, trios, and any other combination you can think of. Maybe you could try a few of your neighbors kids. Are you wanting them to resell or eat?David,
I\’ll keep that in mind about the hay rake teeth. I think Tractor Supply Compay carries them. First order of business is to replace the dolly tires. As pricey as hay is getting I need to get every blade of grass I can from the fields.
Our Saanen usually has triplets and takes care of them good. This time it was quads and I just didn\’t want to chance it so we are bottle feeding 2.
Thanks for the comment! Check back soon!

paintsmh,
Thanks for the offer, but I think I am going to try to get away from the Boers for the most part and find some Kiko\’s or maybe a Meatmaster cross. With hay and grain so high we have talked about selling off the herd and replacing it when we get a better stand of grass and more fencing done.

mlytc,
Yes we have Cobb grandparent stock. Right now it\’s the Cobb 500, but there has been talk of some Cobb 700\’s coming. Not crazy about that because they say the males are really aggressive. Good luck with finding help. Here there are very few jobs, but even fewer people who will work. I\’m hoping to pull a rabbit out of my hat for the next set.

Jim,
It will actually be 4 houses. We build these in sets of 2. Right now I have 2 40×400 houses connected by an egg gathering area. What happened to your calves?
I\’m not willing to place all the blame for the current immigration situation on American workers. While I agree that there are a lot of lazy americans and a lot of immigrants who will work circles around them, you know companies abuse this. They open up shop and pay real low wages. No american wants the job, not because of the job, but because of the wage. That\’s fine except 99% of the companies can pay more, but they have to give some cat somewhere in an office a big salary and stock options. If the company cannot pay more that\’s one thing, but to purposely pay a reduced wage so as to exploit the locals and immigrants alike is just plain wrong. Believe you me there is a lot of it going on too. How do we fix it? Well I\’m not exactly sure, but if you would take away some of the entitlements I bet you\’d see alot more people going to work. Now I know folks are gonna say, no they would just steal. You handle that by passing a law allowing people to protect their property. None of this \”their life must be in danger\”. Plain and simple, make thieves afraid to steal. Democrat or Republican we have got to get a hold on this situation now while we still can or this country will not survive much longer. Here I have seen many families with 4 and 5 generations on public assistance. It\’s a cradle to the grave system that has to be changed somehow. Problem is too many politicians won\’t do anything because they\’d be running themselves out of office. News flash: The line is getting longer than the people supporting it!
Okay I\’ve had my morning rant! Feel a little better now. Thanks for the comment Jim, and hope you have better luck with your next round of calves!

Cyberhillbilly,
I couldn\’t have gotten out of the manufacturing workforce at a better time. The guys from Kingsford have shared some sour outlooks for the future and Kingsford with me. We dried the briquets with heat from our retort (where they burn the sawdust to make wood char)and when they were unable to run we could still run the rest of the plant and dry briquets on a diesel burner. The cost of diesel has gotten so high now that the plant stops unless the retort is running. If something breaks in retort you have a whole plant down waiting on it to be fixed. Only alternitives are send home the workforce or run the burner at an unprofitable margin. Neither is a good choice.
I\’m lucky that I can walk to work and have a fuel reimbursement plan with Cobb for the things here on the farm. I can only imagine the stress fuel prices are putting on the bottom line of manufacturers, distributors, and the like. The truck market is in the tank. Automakers scrambling to produce small cars at little or no profit margin just to keep people employed. We\’ve got the Dems tabooing energy from any source. No coal, no oil, no nuclear plants. Where are we going to get energy from? How does Al Gore expect to get all that electricity he\’s using? http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/gorehome.asp
It\’s okay though he\’s buying carbon credits to offset his massive usage. I got some carbon credits for sale Al! I just hope and pray someone will come along that can lead this country out of the mess it\’s in. McCain will have to do for now since neither party seems to want to put an electable candidate on the ballot. I can see it now, this just in, McCain will be your next president because more votes were cast against Obama than against McCain. That\’s right folks we are no longer voting for a candidate we are voting against the other one. Looks like Perot might be jumping in the race too. I like his new website: http://perotcharts.com/
Thanks for the comment! Check back soon!

Kevin,
I fully understand that there is a whole lot of monkey business going on with immigration. You can see that by reading my response to Jim. Somehow we have to make it beneficial for companies to invest here in the US.Â I don\’t care if new companies don\’t pay any taxes so long as they provide good jobs and distribute their wealth evenly. We have to recreate some of the jobs we\’ve lost. Thanks for the comment!

Sheila,
Registered Boers are going to be high. You can buy Boer crosses and unregistered Boers at sales reasonable. The goats seem to bring the most here when grouped together with others their age and sold in a lot. Mostly meat packers buying when they are sold like that. I think they call them graded. I\’ve sold mine every way imaginable, kids, does, trios, and any other combination you can think of. Maybe you could try a few of your neighbors kids. Are you wanting them to resell or eat?